The E-tech conference was a very thought provoking experience for me and made me question and reflect upon my teaching practices in different way. It also allowed me to see “how” other school districts are allowing access to all the new and upcoming web 2.0 technologies. The following are the concepts that I found to be very useful to me:
1. Today’s classrooms and learning resources must be customized to help students and teachers find the authenticity of information and then teach each other how to store and organize into a manageable resource. Information on the internet is overwhelming and abundant but using social bookmarking sites can narrow down the content for students. Students need to be taught how to be research seekers and evaluators of digital literacy.
2. Student-made content is a vital part of moving into the 21st century. Students need to be the producers and creators of their own learning environment. The Web2.0 tools are about multi-media and making use of digital resources such as blogging, wikis, podcasting, distance learning, etc. Students need to be information seekers not information note-takers. Technology is a tool for gaining knowledge and displaying that information, not just a resource to play games on and fill a content standard. A connection needs to be made between the tool and the information gained.
3. Using collaborative tools and teaching reflective practices are critical in this decade. This requires practice, training, and the development of expertise on the teachers’ part. It is a different way of thinking, learning, and teaching. Most schools ban social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace as well as cell phones, but these are the tools that our students will be using in their future careers and they use them on an everyday basis. Teaching them how to use these tools wisely and safely is a better response than banning them.
I felt like the E-tech conference was a great opportunity for networking, gaining ideas for equipment and software and “seeing” how other teachers are using Web 2.0 tools within their districts. I gained more confidence in what I am currently doing in my classroom and found ways to overcome the “obstacles” that are blocking my students from advancing their technology skills. A lot of the web 2.0 tools such as blogging and wikis are a great tool to improve students reading and writing skills as well as improve their communication and collaboration skills. They get to reflect on a topic and receive feedback from their peers in real-time. The best resources that I gained were through use of a digital and web cameras; which can be used for live streaming, digital storytelling, distance learning, movie making, and recording lessons. Students’ love being on camera and they produce quality information-based work while using tools they love.
The E-tech conference was a very thought provoking experience for me and made me question and reflect upon my teaching practices in different way. It also allowed me to see “how” other school districts are allowing access to all the new and upcoming web 2.0 technologies. The following are the concepts that I found to be very useful to me:
1. Today’s classrooms and learning resources must be customized to help students and teachers find the authenticity of information and then teach each other how to store and organize into a manageable resource. Information on the internet is overwhelming and abundant but using social bookmarking sites can narrow down the content for students. Students need to be taught how to be research seekers and evaluators of digital literacy.
2. Student-made content is a vital part of moving into the 21st century. Students need to be the producers and creators of their own learning environment. The Web2.0 tools are about multi-media and making use of digital resources such as blogging, wikis, podcasting, distance learning, etc. Students need to be information seekers not information note-takers. Technology is a tool for gaining knowledge and displaying that information, not just a resource to play games on and fill a content standard. A connection needs to be made between the tool and the information gained.
3. Using collaborative tools and teaching reflective practices are critical in this decade. This requires practice, training, and the development of expertise on the teachers’ part. It is a different way of thinking, learning, and teaching. Most schools ban social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace as well as cell phones, but these are the tools that our students will be using in their future careers and they use them on an everyday basis. Teaching them how to use these tools wisely and safely is a better response than banning them.
I felt like the E-tech conference was a great opportunity for networking, gaining ideas for equipment and software and “seeing” how other teachers are using Web 2.0 tools within their districts. I gained more confidence in what I am currently doing in my classroom and found ways to overcome the “obstacles” that are blocking my students from advancing their technology skills. A lot of the web 2.0 tools such as blogging and wikis are a great tool to improve students reading and writing skills as well as improve their communication and collaboration skills. They get to reflect on a topic and receive feedback from their peers in real-time. The best resources that I gained were through use of a digital and web cameras; which can be used for live streaming, digital storytelling, distance learning, movie making, and recording lessons. Students’ love being on camera and they produce quality information-based work while using tools they love.
My favorite session: 21 Things for the 21st Century